ATTN: Answers to the below questions are due at the start of your lab period; these answers should be part of your pre-lab write-up.

1. Referring to the synthesis and characterization of the Jacobsen catalyst, answer the following questions.

a. Draw a sketch the reaction setup.

b. Why is a slow air stream passed through the reaction mixture?

c. Which changes are observed in the IR spectrum of the ligand (in comparison to the ligand)?

d. A student plans to obtain the UV-Vis spectrum for the catalyst in the range from l=300 nm to l=600 nm. What would be an appropriate concentration here?

2. The following questions refer to the catalyst design.

a. Why are there two tert. butyl groups attached to the benzene ring? What would happen if two methyl groups were used instead?

b. What would change if the (S,S)-form of the catalyst (instead of the (R,R)-form) is used in the epoxidation reaction?

c. Which oxidation state does the Mn-atom have in the neutral complex?

d. Describe the geometry around the Mn-atom in the neutral complex.

e. Why is manganese used as the metal in the center of the complex and not magnesium?